ON A BEAUTIFUL SUMMER DAY in Southern California, folks gathered in Atwater Village for the 90th anniversary of the opening of the legendary Tam O’Shanter. The event highlighted a yearlong celebration of Los Angeles’s oldest family-owned and operated restaurant in its original location.

Excitement mounted as the L.A. Police Emerald Society Pipes & Drums Band signaled the start of the festivities with their stirring Scottish music. Master of Ceremonies, Grammy Award winner, Ian Whitcomb, took to an outdoor stage bordered by immaculate vintage autos.

Following a brief history of the Tam and a personal remembrance of his first visit there 40 years ago, Mr. Whitcomb introduced members of the founding Frank and Van de Kamp families, oversaw the presentation of multiple laudatory proclamations by local civic leaders and invited film and television stars up to tell their own stories about the Tam O’Shanter.

The Bungalow Boys turn it on

When the party moved inside, Whitcomb’s Bungalow Boys entertained in the lively Ale and Sandwich Bar with music popular at the time of the restaurant’s opening in 1922.

They were followed by the Tam’s own Ploughboys – kilts and all – who played rousing Celtic tunes to everyone’s delight.

A palpable sense of community

A remarkable variety of partygoers were in attendance. In addition to the many Franks and Van de Kamps, among whom were several past and present co-workers, the guest list reflected both the close association the Tam O’Shanter has always enjoyed with Hollywood and the high esteem in which it has been held by the larger community.

Film stars Beverly D’Angelo and Margaret O’Brien, TV favorites Barry and Stanley Livingston from My Three Sons, Bewitched’s Erin Murphy and Kate Linder of The Young and the Restless, joined Councilman Tom LaBonge and State Senator Carol Liu along with representatives of the mayors of Los Angles and Glendale to mingle with guests of all ages.

Animated conversations punctuated with laughter and toasts could be heard throughout as food lovers relished delicious treats from the kitchen.

Perhaps the real stars of the evening were the many longtime customers, their friends and families who all wanted to be part of a unique moment in their beloved restaurant’s history. Animated conversations punctuated with laughter and toasts could be heard throughout as food lovers relished delicious treats from the kitchen. A palpable sense of community filled the Tam well into the evening.

An ‘honorary’ Hollywood Star for the Tam

While speaking to diners in the restaurant’s Bonnie Prince Charlie Room, Lawry’s President and CEO Richard R. Frank reflected on what it takes to keep a family run business successful for nine decades. He drew applause when he invited everyone to join him for the restaurant’s 100th anniversary in ten years promising, “We’ll still be here!”

On that special night, all of our guests had one thing in common bringing them together: a true love of the Tam O’Shanter.

Archived Articles of Interest

Beloved father and co-worker Richard N. Frank passed away at the age of 92. In many ways, he was the heart and soul of Lawry’s and his vision, creativity, hard, work and willingness to take risks were the embodiment of entrepreneurship.